Essential love from an essential bond

On top of the cover of the Aron stood two Keruvim that reflect the love of Hashem to the Jewish people. These Keruvim had the face of a baby.

The Midrash likens Hashem’s love for the Jewish people to the love of a parent to a young child.

The powerful love of a parent to their child does not depend on the qualities or talents the child possess or lacks. It is unaffected by the child’s behaviour or faults. It is an essential love emanating from an essential bond. A parent loves their child because they are a part of themselves.

This is true for all children but most evident in the love for a baby. A baby has not yet developed any talents or achievements. They do not even have the ability to give anything to us and yet we love them deeply and unconditionally. We love them for their very being.

Hashem’s essential love for every Jew runs deeper than our observance of Torah and Mitzvos. Hashem loves us because we each possess a soul which is a part of Him. Hashem’s deepest love is for no other reason than that we are.